Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-12-22
Local Option.

Fellow-cltizens of Iron county let US
act wisely in this matter. Do nothing
rashIy. Be cool. deliberate, yet firm
Let US act fairly, justly, honestly. Let
us do nothing that may cause future
regrets nothing that we shall be
ashamed of. "Be sure you are right,
then go ahead" Let us not forget that
we are neighbo and fellow-citizens
Let us lay aside all selfish motives and
remember that we are acting for the
public good-the community. Especi.
ally let us remember that we are act
ing for the rising generation; yes, for
an indefinite future. This is an i'm.
portant question and has many import.
ant bearings. The people ought to be
well informed on all subjects connected
with it. This is no time for hypocracy.
Let every one, after thorough inves.
tigation, act in accordance with his
convictions. And while we are trying
to do what we honestly believe to be
our duty, let US accord to others the
same consideration and respect for their
opinions that we claim for our own.
Let US be good citizens, act fairly aud
abide the result of q lawful decision.
AS stated, there are many phases to
this subject. shall only touch a few.
There is but little need Of dwelling
on the sin of drunkenness. Few will
attempt to vindicate it. All reasona-
BILE people not only deplore the habit,
but acknowledge Its terrible conse-
euences. to individuals, families and
the country at large. 4
But the main question is the best
means of mitigating the evil and pre-
venting it as far as possible. For it is
not expected that any means will en-
tirely prevent drunkenness, no more
than laws against other evils will en-
tirely prevent those evils which they
are intended to punish ard prevent.
No, we do not expect to entirely stop
old habitual drinkers from drinking.
Their habits are so strong that they
will get intoxicants by some means.
Although many of these might be re-
claimed if the temptations of the sa-
looms, with their social influence, the
treating, games, ETC., were removed;
but we do believe that much can be
accomplished by preventing the young
men and boys from forming the habit
Of drinking. We believe that the sa-
looms, with their seductive influences,
are the chief manufacturers of drunk
ards and ought to be closed. The young
man drawn there by various attrac-
tions, yields to the persuasion of COM
panions to take drink; then he thinks
to he gentleman he, too, must treat;
another thinks he must be social and
generous, so he treats. Or young man
meets friend in the saloon and is in
vited to drink. He fears to offend his
friend by refusing, so he drinks with
him and in turn treats. So it goes on
until the appetite for strong drink is
formed and the habit confirmed. The
power ,fhabit is wonderful. Few doubt
less fully comprehend this law of our
nature, although familiar with the say
ing that 1--WE are creatures of habit"
They think that the poor victims of
this appetite for strong drink could
govern their appetite if they would and
hence they blame them severely, while
the fact is, few of them can govern
such appetite when it is fully formed.
1t is the same with reference to opiates
and all narcotics. 1t is, in fact, dis
ease; q morbid craving caused by irri-
ta,ion and over-stimulation, which
leaves condition of nervous prostra-
tion, and the craving to relieve this
prostration is the main trouble. 1t is
lust like the thirst for water and hun
ger for food when extreme. The fact
is, these poor victims deserve more
sympathy than blame. Iknow what l
am writing abont. AS physician |
have often been urged to give them
something to relieve such cravings.
They describe it as "terrible, "ungov-
ernable,n &c. But say some what can
ue do? We should remove the tempta-
ton as far as possible. Waray," lead
us not into temptation, but Seliver us
from evil" The saloons are public In
stitutions. They exist and are govern
ed by laws which we have made, and
can be removed by the same power.
Now if we can remove public evil
and refuse or neglect to do SO, are We
not responsible also for the conse-
quences? We help to make drunkards
and then punish them for crimes COM
mitted while crazy with strong drink.
Consistency thou art q jewel" We